World Mental Health Day 2017

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. It's a time to raise awareness about mental health, how important it is and the help and support that's available for people who suffer from mental health issues.

October 10th is World Mental Health Day

Mental health can affect anyone, it does not discriminate, people from all walks of life and backgrounds suffer from mental health issues. October 10th is World Mental Health Day, it’s a time to raise awareness and show support and solidarity for those who suffer from mental health issues. It’s also a time to realise that most of us will at some point in our lives experience some degree of mental health issues.

When people think of mental health they often think of depression or illnesses such as schizophrenia, the truth is mental health covers a wide spectrum of conditions relating to the brain and chances are each and every one of us will experience some degree of mental health problem in our lives. For some, it may be a long-lasting battle with depression for others it may be dealing with temporary grief and the loss of a loved one.

Mental Health Information

It is said that 1 in 4 people will be effected by mental health issues throughout their life.

Over 800,000 people take their own life each year around the world.

Major depression is said to be the 2nd largest cause of disability around the world.

Suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged 20-49 years in England and Wales.

Evidence suggests that 12.7% of all sickness absence days in the UK can be attributed to mental health conditions.

Better mental health resources and understanding in the workplace could save businesses in the UK an estimated 8 billion per year.

What Can I Do to Help

If you’re a business owner you could hold a talk, event or send out a mass email to your employees raising awareness of mental health issues and outlining your workplace policies to support employees.

Everyone else can get involved by either donating to a mental health charity or just talking about mental health.

Do you know someone who appears to be struggling or seem a little down? Ask them if they’re OK!

Post to social media and let people know you’re there to talk and offer help and advice or a listening ear if needed.

The main point of mental health day is to be more aware of mental health, how it affects people and how you can help and support people who suffer from mental health issues.

Sources of Support

If you are experiencing mental health problems or need support, there are lots of
places you can go to for help.

If you’re struggling with mental health issues there are lots of people and organisations who can help. They are listed here:

Samaritans

Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call)Email: jo@samaritans.orgWebsite:www.samaritans.org
Provides confidential, non-judgmental emotional support for people experiencing feelings
of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email,
write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.

Mind Infoline

Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday)Email: info@mind.org.ukWebsite:www.mind.org.uk/help/advice_lines
Mind provides confidential mental health information services.
With support and understanding, Mind enables people to make informed choices. The
Infoline gives information on types of mental distress, where to get help, drug treatments,
alternative therapies and advocacy. Mind also has a network of nearly 200 local Mind
associations providing local services.

Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line

Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (10am-2pm Monday to Friday)Email: info@rethink.orgWebsite:http://www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice
Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those
who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff.
Rethink also runs Rethink services and groups across England and Northern Ireland.

Saneline

Telephone: 0845 767 8000 (6pm-11pm)Website:www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline
Saneline is a national mental health helpline providing information and support to people
with mental health problems and those who support them.

Elefriends

Website:http://elefriends.org.uk/
Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. Elefriends is run by
Mind.

Richard is a Digital Marketer by trade, specialising in website design and SEO. Richard's online handle is Rickeo, a freelance journalist with a passion for politics, major world news, technology and social activism.